Method for automatically preparing outersoles



Aug. 18, 1953 MIDGLEY ET AL 3 5 METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY PREPARINGOUTERSOLES Filed July 14, 1951 5 Sheets-Sweet 1 I 1 U 'mmn Aug. 18, 1953D. MIDGLEY El AL 2,648,855

' METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY PREPARING OUTERSOLES Filed July 14, 1951s'sheets-sheerz Aug. 18, 1953 D. MIDGLEY ET AL METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLYPREPARING OUTERSOLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 14, 1951 Aug. 18, 1953v D. MIDGLEY m" AL 2,648,855

METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY PREPARING OUTEiRSOLES Filed July 14, 1951 5Sheets-Sheet 4 fl/lorney Aug. 18, 1953 D. MlDGLEY ET AL, 2,648,855

METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY PREPARING OUTERSOLES Filed July 14, 1951 1 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 18, 1953 METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY PREPARINGOUTERSOLES Douglas Midgley, East Malvern, Victoria, and NoelHetherington Midgley, South Caulfield,

Victoria, Australia Application July 14, 1951, Serial No. 236,758 InAustralia July 14, 1950 8 Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of outer soles for shoes, moreparticularly ladies shoes fitted with wood, fibrous, plastic or anyother type of heels used in the manufacture of footwear where solepreparation is necessary.

As is well known in the art, such outer soles should, in order fully tosatisfy modern requirements, be formed to precise standards as to shape,varying thickness or substance, and so on.

The conventional current method of producing outer soles is relativelycomplex and lengthy in that it necessitates a considerable number ofseparate treatments or action many of which depend upon the humanelement and a very high degree of skill if anything like a satisfactoryarticle is to be produced.

According to our invention, manufacture is greatly simplified,expedited, cheapened and otherwise improved by carrying out allessential operations simultaneously and rapidly and in such a mannerthat the utmost precision and uniformity can be assured. Moreexplicitly, we carry out the operations automatically by and during thepassage of the outer sole blank through a skiving or die roll machinehaving an appropriately designed matrix and adapted to progressivelyreduce or skive the sole blank, such machine being fitted with amagazine loader or feeder so that there is practically a constantdelivery of the finished outer soles.

At least one operation of the conventional manufacturing process is, insubstance, eliminated by the present invention, as once the machine isset up for a given blank, the starting and finishing positions forreducing the waist and the forepart remain constant.

In every instance the progressively reduced or skived portions areaccurately predetermined in thickness and tapering or graduation and canbe constantly maintained under working conditions. Previously this couldnot be relied upon Where a number of separate operations were requiredto make up a suitably prepared outer sole.

The points at which both sides of the waist reduced portions and theforepart reduced portion commence and finish, can definitely bepredetermined to fall just forward of or near the break or joint line ofthe shoe. Hitherto this could not be ensured and the points ofcommencement and termination of the reductions were dependent upon thediscretion, skill and carefulness of the operator.

It will be understood that according to our invention the relativepositions of reduction in thickness for each size and shape of outersoleremains constant, the margins being graded up and down from the middleor model size.

Referring to the drawings which form part of this specification- Figure1 is a plan view of an outersole produced according to the invention andsuitable for a shoe with a continental heel.

Figures 2 and 3 are cross sections on lines 2-2 and 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side or edge view of a blank from which the outersole ofFigures 1-3 may be produced.

"Figure 5 is a side or edge view of the outersole seen in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a plan view of an outersole produced according to theinvention and suitable for a shoe having a Cuban heel.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the heel portions of the outersole ofFigure 6.

Figure 8 is a side or edge view of another form of outersole accordingto the invention suitable for a shoe having a Cuban heel.

Figure 9 is a plan view of a portion of the outersole seen in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a plan view of a blank suitable for forming into anoutersole for a shoe having a Cuban heel and illustrates the formationof a special leaf for such heel.

Figure 11 is a side or edge view of the blank seen in Figure 10.

Figure. 12 is a side or edge view of another outersole according to theinvention for a shoe having a leather or fibre heel.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a special matrix or die roll as maybe embodied in a well known machine for producing outersoles accordingto the invention, particularly the outersole of Figures 1-3.

Figure 14 is a side View showing parts of such a machine including thematrix of Figure 13 which is assumed to be viewed in the direction ofthe arrow A.

Figure 15 is a developed plan view of the periphery of the matrix seenin Figures 13 and 14.

Referring now to Figures l-5 which illustrate one form of the invention,an outersole blank 6 (Figure 4) of the requisite contour, and ofadequate thickness or substance, is first cut lengthwise from its heelend so as to form a relatively thin leaf 1 for securing to the breast ofa continental heel. Such a blank is then fed into a skiving machinehaving a special matrix as will be hereinafter referred to, whereby thefollowing operations are simultaneously performed.

The waist portion 8 is progressively reduced in thickness at the inside8a and at the outside 81), the peripheral margin 9 of the forepart isprogressively reduced in thickness, a rearwardly projecting tongue Infor fitting to the top of a heel is formed, and a groove or depression Il is formed in the tongue it for accommodating the rib of a reinforcingshank steel, in cases where the latter is employed.

Referring now to Figures 6 and '7, the outersole thereof is formed froma blank similar to Figure 4 but in the present instance the leaf [2 iscut from the blank in such a way .that upon the leaf being removed by atransverse cut it leaves a shoulder it which -proge'ssively increases indepth from its centre to its opposite edges, as will be readily apparentfrom Figure F7. Thus the relatively thicker side or edge portions of theoutersole adjacent the shoulder [3 will not be likely to become frayedor separated from the front face of a Cuban heel afterthe latter hasbeen applied, It will .be understood that the transversely cut awayportion of the leaf I2 is discarded. The remaining portion :l2a of theleaf may be connected to the undersurface of the tongue M (as "by latexor. other suitable adhesive or cement) which is provided in its uppersurface with a groove 5 similar to groove ll of the tongue ll! of Figure'1.

The opposite edge portions i 6 of the waist portion ll are progressivelyreduced in thickness as previously described but the forepart [8 of theoutersole may be of uniform thickness or substance as in Figure 6.

In the case of producing outersoles for Cuban r Spanish Cuban heelproduction, all of the six operations previously listed for Continentalheels are simultaneously performed on a blank which is provided withaspecial form of leaf (Fi ure 6). The leaf l2 can be of considerablesubstance at the commencing point and taper away to approximately g insubstance in the center and g s on the outer edges to a pointapproximately AM-V forward of the heel breast. This facilitates theforming of the tongue 14 at the time when the six operations are beingsimultaneously and automatically performed. Under production conditions,a light coat of suitable adhesive is applied to the forward end of theleaf I2 before the blank is passed through the skiving machine. Thisenables the leaf to be bonded to the sole blank to a point approximatelyin advance of the position of the heel breast, thus ensuring that thecenter portion of the leaf remains securely attached to the solethroughout the entire life of the shoe.

The outersole of Figures 3 and .9 is formed from a blank which is devoidof any leaf. Consequently, in this case there is no transverse shoulder([3) at the rear end of the tongue l9, as the under surface of thetongue is a continuation of the under surface of the outersole. Theopposite sides or edges of the waist portion 20 and the peripheralmargin ofthe forepart 2'! may be suitably skived while the tongue [9 hasa groove or depression 22.

The blank of Figures '10 and 11 will be passed through the die rollmachine as previously referred but before so doing its rear .part isslit so as to form a leaf 22a which when out transverse.- ly near theblind or inner end of the slit leaves a shoulder for abutting againstthe breast of a Cuban heel, said shoulder being similar to the shoulderI3 of Figure 7. In the present instance the rear portion 23 of theoutersole after it'has been skived by passage through the die roll ma- 4chine will be converted into a tongue similar in every way to the tongueM of Figures 6 and 7.

Figure 12 illustrates an outersole for a shoe having a heel made up of aseries of leather or fibre lifts. In this case the blank is not slit toprovide a leaf but it is passed through the machine in order toprogressively and slightly reduce the thickness of the heel portion 24from its rear towards the waist 25, the opposite side portions of WhiQ ias well as the peripheral margins of the forepart 25, beingprogressively reduced in thickness as in Figure l. The originalthickness of the blank from which the outersole of Figure 12 isprovideddenoted by the chain dot line 27.

According to our invention the tongue (ill, M, i9.) is graded both as towidth and length to suit the size of the heel seat (between sizes),whereas withthe conventional method the preparation of the tongueprovided only limited assistance towards fitting of the heel used in themanufacture of shoes.

Again with our invention the skiving of the tongue is suitably taperedso as to form a close fitting and eificient filler for the concave heelor seat while the grading or tapering'of the tongue renders it a simplematter to ensure that every nail for securing the tongue to the heelextends nicely through the tongue and thus ensures a most secure bondingbetween the heel and the shoe proper.

Our method, by providing for a groove or depression (l i, 55, 22) in thecentral portion of the tongue assists in a snugassembly of the usualreinforcing shank steel and avoids any upsetting of the heel seat, wherefluted shank steels are used. This contributes to a better constructedshoe and the utmost support, comfort and stability. Without such afeature, fracture of the heel base is likely and frequently occurs.

With our improved method, the graded, skived and grooved tongueconstitute a most important improvement and a very decided advancementin heel assembly. It can be produced in the desired thickness andcontour with depth of groove "to accommodate the protruding rib of thereinforcing shank steel, which has been accentuated by the absence oflining, stiffener and upper materials around the seat of the insole.

Reference will now be made to Figures 1Jl5 which illustrate oneparticular form of matrix for producing outersoles for shoes to beprovided with Continental heels, andco-operating partsof a knowndie-roll machine incorporating such matrix. Such matrix is, genera'lly,of cylindrical form and may be in one piece or composed ofiongitudihally extending halves, as shown, or in more than two sectionssuitably fastened together. In some cases, however, the matrix could be.in the form of a substantially flat plate.

In any event the matrix is provided with dc.- pressions of suchareas,depths and locations as to correspond with the desired surface formationand thickn ss of the various portionsof the outersoles to be produced.Referring now especially to Figure 1. .5, area A represents the maximumfor allowing the leaf (7) to be depressed so that it will not be cut bythe skiving blade when the latter is skiving the tongue. Area J risesgradually from area H to the tongue-forming rise or ridge G. Areas K, L,should be higher than areas C and D but depressed slightly in relationto the maximum diameter of the matrix to ensure that the skiving bladewill not damage or cut away the edges of the reduced waist portions ofthe outersole in the event of any particular blank being operated uponnot conforming precisely to the formation of the matrix.

A typical skiving operation according to the invention is illustrated inFigure 14 wherein the matrix 29 is assumed to be rotating clockwise andthe blank 3! to be moving towards the left under influence of a seriesof laterally spaced serrated feed rollers 32 between each pair of whicha spring-loaded presser finger 33 acts to force the blank towards andinto the surface depressions of the matrix. The skiving blade 28 ispreferably mounted with ability for adjustment so that its cutting edge3% may be set to impart the desired maximum thickness to the outersole.

Each matrix will be suitable for at least one full size sole and a halfsize sole, i. e. matrix No. 4 would accommodate sizes 4 and 4 /2. Theusual size range will run from 2 to '7 inclusive of half sizes.

The matrix is so designed that it will cover a large variety of shapesand fittings in relation to the forepart, Waist and seat.

The greatest variance occurs mainly in the forepart, usually the resultof fashion changes in such things as pointed, round, snub or squaretoes.

Within the same size range regardless of fitting, these may all beprepared with the same matrix. In other words, a size 4 or 4 /2 soleregardless of fitting or variances as described above, could be producedon a No. 4 matrix.

The changes take place only when the different lengths in the size rangehave to be prepared i. e. size 5-5 of the same size range would requirea different matrix than that used for size 44% as would size 645 /2 andso on. A different matrix is used according to whether the outersolesare for shoes with Continental, Cuban or other types of heels.

Within fairly wide limits the thickness of the edges around theperiphery of the forepart and waist may be varied as desired merely byan adjustment of the skiving knife.

In some instances, it may be desirable to provide detachable sectionsfor the matrix having 7 different contours, depressions or the like, sothat such sections can be attached at any desired positions in order tovary the surface formation of the matrix according to the particularshape to be imparted to the outersole.

Having now described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. The method of producing outersoles for ladies shoes, comprisingskiving a blank of minimum thickness to provide an outersole of selectedthickness regardless of the original thickness and simultaneouslyskiving the marginal portions including skiving the inside and outsideedges of the waist portion to selected thicknesses skiving theperipheral margin of the forepart to selected thicknesses and skivingfrom the heel portion a rearwardly projecting tongue to fit snuglywithin the heel seat of a heel.

2. The method of producing outersoles for ladies shoes as claimed inclaim 1, including skiving a depression in said tongue, foraccommodating the rib of a reinforcing shank.

3. The method of producing outersoles according to claim 1, includingskiving said tongue to progressively taper its marginal portions towardsits outer edge.

t. The method of producing outersoles according to claim 1 comprisingsplitting the blank from its heel extremity to form a relatively thinleaf which extends forwardly beyond the forward root end of said tongueand which is destined to be secured to the breast of the heel of a shoe.

5. The method of producing outersoles according to claim 1 comprisingsplitting the blank from its heel extremity to form a relatively thinleaf which extends forwardly beyond the forward root end of said tongue,and transversely cutting said leaf to provide a transverse shoulderwhich progressively increases in depth from its centre to its oppositeedges to abut against the breast of the heel at a position immediatelybeneath said tongue.

6. The method of producing outersoles according to claim 1 comprisingsplitting the blank from its heel extremity to form a relatively thinleaf which extends forwardly beyond the forward root end of said tonguewith said leaf having an upper surface that is concave both lengthwiseand transversely while the under surface of said tongue is convex bothlengthwise and transversely to facilitate its fitting within a concaveseating of the heel, and transversely cutting said leaf to provide atransverse shoulder which progressively increases in depth from itscentre to its opposite edges and to abut against the breast of the heelat a position immediately beneath said tongue.

7. The method of producing outersoles for ladies shoes, comprisingskiving a blank of minimum thickness to provide an outersole of selectedthickness regardless of the original thickness and simultaneouslyskiving the marginal portions including skiving the inside and outsideedges of the waist portion to selected thicknesses and skiving theperipheral margin of the forepart to selected thicknesses.

8. The method of producing outersoles for ladies shoes, comprisingskiving a blank of minimum thickness to provide an outersole of selectedthickness regardless of the original thickness thereof andsimultaneously skiving succssively the forepart and tapering theperipheral margin thereof to a selected thickness, skiving the waistportion and reducing the inside and outside edges thereof to selectedthicknesses, and skiving the heel portion and tapering the marginsthereof to form a rearwardly projecting tongue for fitting snugly withinthe heel seat of a heel.

DOUGLAS MIDGLEY. NOEL HETHERINGTON MIDGLEY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,527,963 Preo Feb. 24, 1925 1,824,654 Bresnahan Sept. 22,1931 1,877,164 Elkin Sept. 13, 1932 1,992, 13 Johnson Feb. 26, 1935

